DC Sports Betting: Best DC Online Sportsbook Sites Dec. 2024

DC betting apps

Online DC sports betting is now live, featuring some of the best sportsbooks that North America has to offer. The likes of BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics have all officially launched.

Read on to learn more about each of these available options.

BetMGM Sportsbook 🦁

BetMGM has found multiple ways to build up goodwill with DC sports bettors, including live streaming for a wide range of sports, numerous ongoing promos, and a Parlay Plus promotion that increases the payout on a successful parlay of 4-to-7 games. With recently improved customer service, BetMGM could stay No. 1 for a while.

Lean on our BetMGM sportsbook review for a more in-depth analysis of this book.

Caesars Sportsbook  🏛

Caesars does just about everything right. Its customer support is the best in the business, and its welcome bonus is among the more generous in the industry. That, combined with the immense brand capital Caesars has around the globe, make this one of the most popular betting operators in the United States.

Check out our Caesars sportsbook review.

FanDuel Sportsbook 🔵

FanDuel is regularly ranked at (or near) the top of any list of the best sportsbooks, and for good reason. They have a terrific mobile app, competitive odds, plenty of bonuses for new and existing customers, and praise-worthy customer service. FanDuel recently took over for GambetDC, giving DC bettors a fresh, new option. 

See our FanDuel review for more details.

DraftKings Sportsbook 👑

DraftKings is a staple amongst North American sportsbooks, and for good reason. Its generous welcome bonus is followed up by a solid roster of ongoing promotions, ranging from odds boosts to special parlay offers. The odds of DK betting markets are typically quite competitive compared to the field, with all these reasons and more being why it's one of the first operators to arrive in most states following the legalization of commercial operators.

DraftKings is a welcome addition to the DC sports betting scene. Take a look at our DraftKings sportsbook review to learn more.

Fanatics Sportsbook 🧢

Fanatics launched in DC on Sept. 1, 2024, adding another great mobile sportsbook for bettors in the nation's capitol. It brings an consistent stream of great promotions, especially when the new NFL season starts. Customers can also take advantage of the FanCash Rewards program, earning credit towards licensed merchandise of your favorite pro team (or convert the FanCash into bonus bets). 

To learn more, be sure to check out our detailed Fanatics review. 

DC promos and bonuses

Everyone loves a generous sportsbook promotion, and folks from the nation’s capital are certainly no different. DC-based sportsbooks are now live and clamoring to add new customers, which is great news for those looking to join the fray. Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is also available in DC. For more information about DFS in DC, check out our guide to the best DFS sites. 

Look below for more information about the top DC sportsbook bonuses and how to claim each sportsbook's welcome offer.

BetMGM: Up to $1,500 in bonus bets 🦁

BetMGM offers DC residents a nice welcome offer with up to $1,500 in bonus bets by using BetMGM bonus code SBRBONUS. To take advantage of this promo, you must register a new account, make a minimum deposit, and place a qualifying wager. If your bet loses, you'll be fully reimbursed via bonus bets up to the maximum dollar amount of $1,500. The promo expires on February 28, 2025.

Up To $1,500 Back In Bonus Bets

Bonus bets will expire in 7 days. One new customer offer only. Additional terms and conditions apply.

Claim $1,500

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Caesars: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Bets​  🏛

Caesars regularly offers one of the best welcome offers, and it's no different in DC. New users can get a bet $1, get ten (10) 100% profit boosts. Users can make their first cash wager of $1+ and receive (10) 100% profit boosts to use on any market.

Use the Caesars sportsbook promo code SBRBONUSDYW to take advantage of this deal. 

Bet $1, Get 10x 100% Profit Boosts

New users only. Must use promo code. Min. $10 deposit. Max. additional winnings $2.5K per token. Tokens expire in 14 days. Void where prohibited. Full terms.

Claim Boosts

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DraftKings: Bet $5, win $150 in bonus bets 👑

DraftKings is currently offering DC residents a unique sign-up offer: bet $5, win $150 in bonus bets.

This offer is available to all new DraftKings customers. Just make a minimum deposit and first bet of $5 or more on any market and with any odds. If your bet wins, DraftKings will give you six (6) $25 bonus bets to keep playing with. Unused bonus bets will expire seven days after being received and cannot be withdrawn as cash. 

There is no DraftKings promo code, meaning the offer can be redeemed without one by simply following our unique link.

Bet $5, Win $150 in Bonus Bets

Terms and conditions apply.

Claim $150

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Fanatics: Up to $1,000 in bonuses 🧢

Fanatics welcomes new DC bettors with up to $1,000 in bonus bets. Once you've created your account, your first daily bet will be a No Sweat Bet for ten straight days. The maximum daily bonus bet award is $100, meaning this bonus can get as high as $1,000 (ten days x $100 each). Bonus bets are only awarded if your bet loses. The amount of bonus bets awarded will be equal to the amount wagered and lost. Opt-in is required after Day One. However, you won't need a Fanatics Sportsbook promo code to claim this deal. 

Get up to $1,000 in No Sweat Bets

Terms and conditions apply.

Bet Now

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FanDuel: Bet $5, win $150 in bonus bets 🔵

FanDuel was the first DC sportsbook to have coverage across the entire region. Before that, sportsbooks could only operate inside of (or near) professional sports arenas like Capitol One Arena or Nationals Park.

That said, the main professional sports venues will continue to enforce exclusivity in favor of their partnered sportsbooks. For example, FanDuel isn't able to accept bets if you've been geolocated at Nationals Park, thanks to a partnership between BetMGM.

FanDuel entices new customers with a bet $5, win $150 in bonus bets welcome offer. Create a new FanDuel account using the mobile app, then make a minimum real money deposit and wager of at least $5 or more, and you'll claim $150 in bonus bets if your first bet wins.  You don't need a FanDuel promo code to qualify. The promotion expires on December 22, 2024.  

DC sports betting summary

How to bet in DC

Choose your sportsbook

Consult our top list above for the best sports betting options available to you in DC. Our interactive list allows you to sort sportsbooks based on a number of criteria, including banking options, bonuses and quality of customer service.

If you’re looking for more information before making your choice, be sure to check out our detailed, unbiased reviews for each of the top sportsbooks in DC. This is especially important if you want to understand how each book’s bonus offers work.

Register online or in person

Registration requirements vary slightly by sportsbook, but most follow the same protocols. Be sure to have your personal information (name, address, phone number) and credit card details (number, expiry date, CVV) handy.

Deposit and claim your bonus

Once you’re comfortable with how your sportsbook’s new signup bonus works, it’s time to make your initial deposit and claim whatever bonus might be available (though the pickings are slim when it comes to inducements at DC sportsbooks).

Select and finalize your bet

Congratulations! You’re ready to place a wager. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the app, kiosk or physical sportsbook setup before diving in. Most operators make it easy for new sports bettors to navigate, but it’s still good to know where everything is.

From there, you can place any type of wager you like; the most popular bet types are the moneyline, spread or total. You can also dive into team or player props, or even kick things off with a futures bet.

Once you have the desired wager(s) in your betting card, take one last look to ensure you’ve made the selections you want. If everything is good, simply select “Bet” on your app or at your kiosk, or sign off on your bet at a retail location – and you’re off!

DC legal sports betting history

Here’s a look at DC’s sports betting history:

2018: DC Lottery to Run Sports Betting

Not long after the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in May, DC Councilman Jack Evans introduced Bill B22-0944. The bill would allow for both retail and online sports betting within the district, while putting the DC Lottery in charge of both regulation and management of mobile wagering.

The bill reached Mayor Muriel Bowser following the addition of three amendments in December 2018, and optimism was high that legal sports wagering would make its way to DC early in 2019. 

2019: Bill Signed Into Law

Bowser did as expected and signed off on Bill B22-0944 in January, setting the stage for legal sports wagering to make its way to DC. Yet, before the bill could formally be signed into law, it would need to gain the approval of the US Congress (a barrier any standard U.S. state would not need to pass).

Congress ultimately saw no issue with the sports betting bill, and it became legal in May. Two months later, DC’s Office of Lottery and Gaming finalized the district’s rules and regulations, opening the doors for legal wagering.

2020: GambetDC Debut Panned

After a number of delays, GambetDC finally made its debut in Washington in May, ringing in the era of legal sports betting in DC. In addition to having launched at a time when COVID-19 had shut down most of the global sports calendar, the app is widely panned for offering some of the worst odds of any operator in the country.

Disgruntled sports bettors finally get another option in July, when William Hill launches at Capital One Arena. Later branded as Caesars Sportsbook, the renowned sportsbook is permitted to take bets either on the premises, or within a two-block radius of the venue – and it immediately overtakes GambetDC as the sportsbook of choice.

2021: Big Players Enter the Space

On the heels of William Hill/Caesars launching its mobile app in DC in December 2020, BetMGM entered the DC sports betting space with the launch of its geo-restricted app and retail sports betting offering at Nationals Park. The two major brands significantly outperformed GambetDC, which held steady with its subpar odds offerings.

Another sportsbook made its debut in 2021, albeit one with a much smaller impact on the DC sports betting landscape. Grand Central Restaurant and Bar launched its own sportsbook within its venue in October 2021, offering two betting kiosks along with a staffed betting window where bettors could make their in-person wagers. 

2022: More Trouble for GambetDC

Another year, another major black mark against GambetDC, with the app failing to work for an unknown number of iOS users before and during the Super Bowl. GambetDC offered affected users a $10 in-game bet for the outage, and paid the district $500,000 in compensation; its reputation took an even bigger hit as a result of the malfunction.

2024: Hello, FanDuel

In April 2024, FanDuel took over the online betting license that was previously held by GambetDC. DC bettors rejoiced, since GambetDC was widely panned as non-competitive and, at times, barely functioning. 

By May 2024, it was already clear that FanDuel and DC were a good fit, evidenced by an April that saw a $26.6 million handle as well as $2.845 million in revenue. In fact, FanDuel's revenue made up over 80% of the total revenue made by all sportsbooks in April.

Shortly after FanDuel's arrival, the DC sports betting market opened up even more. The other two players (BetMGM and Caesars) were able to expand their coverage to include the entire District, having previously been limited to only operating in a two-mile radius of a pro sports arena. 

On July 17, 2024, District-wide sports betting officially went live in DC. The first operators to launch were BetMGM, Caesars, and FanDuel. DraftKings officially launched a week later, on July 24, bringing the total number of legal DC sportsbooks to four. Fanatics would launch on Sept. 12, 2024, to make it five books in total. 

Less than month later, the expanded DC sports betting scene was looking healthier than ever, with a 254.1% year-over-year increase in online sports betting handle in July 2024. 

In November, Caesars Sportsbook's self-service kiosks officially went live in DC at 48 local businesses. 

Responsible Gaming in DC

Like most U.S. states, DC has put safeguards in place to ensure that bettors have a way out of any potential trouble spots. 

The DC chapter of the National Council on Problem Gambling (where the organization is based) is the district’s main resource for players who seek help. It provides access to treatment programs, screening tools and a host of self-help resources.

Visit the National Council on Problem Gambling site if you (or someone you love) needs help with a gambling addiction. 

Sports leagues to bet on

It will come as no surprise to see a rather extensive list of major professional and amateur sports available to DC bettors – a list that includes (but is not limited to):

• NFL
• NBA
• NCAA Football
• NCAA Basketball
• MLB
• NHL
• Golf
• Auto Racing
• Tennis
• Soccer
• MMA

That doesn’t leave much off the table, but there are three major markets in which wagering in DC is prohibited:

• Politics
• Esports
• Entertainment (including awards shows)

Sports bettors can check out the top sportsbooks for specific sports, leagues, playoffs, and categories:

DC teams to bet on

Here’s a look at the four major professional sports franchises that play their home games in DC:

Washington Wizards betting 🏀

Capital One Arena made history on May 26, 2021, becoming the first North American sports venue in history to open a sportsbook on site. William Hill was the lucky operator, signing a 10-year deal with arena owner Monumental Sports; not long after, Caesars took control of William Hill and rebranded the arena in honor of the Roman emperor.  

Washington Nationals betting ⚾

Might the BetMGM Sportsbook at Nationals Park serve as the blueprint for future sports betting bars and lounges at other MLB parks? The pioneering sports bar boasts multiple big screens, six betting windows, 17 kiosks and a 40 foot bar within its 4,000 square feet of space – and with street-level access, it can be open year-round.

Washington Capitals betting 🏒

Caesars Sportsbook at Capital One Arena is a two-story behemoth that also features street access, meaning it can be open for most of the year. A 1,500-square-foot LED screen greets patrons outside the sportsbook – and once inside, they have access to several big-screen TVs along with 17 betting windows and 12 self-serve kiosks.

Washington Commanders betting 🏈

The NFL is the king of North American sports, and the Washington Commanders fit neatly into that kingdom, no matter how dysfunctional the franchise is being run. The Commanders play at FedEx Field, just five miles from Washington, D.C. They have a huge following in the area, despite not advancing past the Wild Card round of the postseason since 2005. 

DC retail sportsbooks

Until recently, there were no casinos or other places to gamble in DC, which spurred state residents to get creative in order to participate in sports betting. For example, third-party sportsbooks could only be used within various Washington sporting venues, with the best offering being app services within a two-block radius of those venues. While this is no longer the case, some simply prefer the experience of betting in real life.

Here are the places where you can bet in-person in DC:

• Caesars Sportsbook at Capital One Arena (Caesars Sportsbook, 601 F St NW, Washington, DC, 20004)
• Grand Central Restaurant, Bar and Sportsbook (Grand Central Sportsbook, 2447 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009)
• Nationals Park (BetMGM Sportsbook, ​​1500 S Capitol St SE, Washington, DC, 20003)

DC sports betting tax & handle

DC is one of the few regions in the United States where the percentage of sports betting patrons using retail locations exceeds that of the mobile wagering audience. The main reason for this being that, until recently, you could only use certain sportsbooks while geolocated within a two-block radius of specific sporting venues like Capital One Arena or Nationals Park.

Now that online sports betting is available from anywhere in DC, that is likely to change. Speaking of change, the state's monthly sports betting handle used to be reported separately by the Office of Lottery and Gaming. This is because there used to be a definitive divide between commercial operators and Gambet DC, before the latter was overtaken by FanDuel within the state.

Here’s a look at DC’s monthly sports betting handle beginning from 2023 onward:

2023

2024

Sportsbooks pay a 10 percent tax rate on gross gaming revenue to the district.

Growth of sports betting 📈

When the U.S. Supreme Court repealed PASPA in 2018, the growth of legal sports betting in the United States skyrocketed. Close to three dozen states have since legalized some form of sports betting, with the most common legislation including the licensing of online sportsbooks and mobile betting apps. Check our legal sports betting tracker to find out more about any state you're interested in. 

Over the past few years, large states like Ohio and Massachusetts have enjoyed massively successful online betting launches. Sports fans get an extra way to engage with their favorite teams, and the states earn plenty of much-needed revenue from licensing fees and taxes.

More recently, legal North Carolina sports betting arrived on March 11, 2024, bringing eight of the best sportsbooks in the country to the Tar Heel state. And with events like the Copa America and Euro 2024 soccer tournaments happening all Summer long, the excitement and opportunities for sports betting enthusiasts continue to grow.